I got in line at exactly 7:00 AM. I walked out the door after casting my ballot at 9:00. From what I’m seeing on the news, two hours to vote is a short wait. On my ballot there were three constitutional amendment propositions.
Inside the boxes below is what was on the ballot. None of them make any sense. If I hadn’t seen them before today I’m not sure how I would have taken them.
Amendment 1 – To encourage the preservation of Georgia’s forests through a conservation use property tax reduction program.
House Resolution No. 1276
Resolution Act No. 702
Ga. L. 2008, p. 1209“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide that the General Assembly by general law shall encourage the preservation, conservation, and protection of the state’s forests through the special assessment and taxation of certain forest lands and assistance grants to local government?”
This will permit companies that own 200 acres or more or forested land to pay reduced property taxes as though they were an individual. The object is for companies to not tear down forests. Not entirely a bad thing. The problem is that it would require the state to make up the difference in another way. That would be a constitutionally required tax.
Amendment 2 – To authorize local school districts to use tax funds for community redevelopment purposes.
Senate Resolution No. 996
Resolution Act No. 777
Ga. L. 2008, p. 1211“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize community redevelopment and authorize counties, municipalities, and local boards of education to use tax funds for redevelopment purposes and programs?”
One of the most often heard complaints about the USA is lack of money for education. This would allow the local school board to use funds to repay bonds taken out for community redevelopment programs. How can this be a good idea?
Amendment 3 – To authorize the creation of special Infrastructure Development Districts providing infrastructure to underserved areas.
Senate Resolution No. 309
Resolution Act No. 373
Ga. L. 2007, p. 775“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by general law for the creation and comprehensive regulation of infrastructure development districts for the provision of infrastructure as authorized by local governments?”
This one allows for private organizations to levy taxes to pay back bonds taken out to build infrastructure (schools, roads, etc) that a county might not otherwise choose to fund. The taxes would only be levied on the land owned, and subsequently sold, by the organization. It is effectively a homeowners association with taxation powers. The infrastructure built by the private organization would be run by the county.
